Cambridge STRIKES Chronicle

Amalgamated

Engineering

Union

March in Sidney
Street, 1963

257.21

Cambridge STRIKES Chronicle

Reports of strikes, disputes and trades union 1888 to 1990

This will form part of A Cambridge Chronicle

1891

Building strike for 22 weeks intimidation results in imprisonment [1.1]

1899 08 04

William Askham, a labourer in the employ of Messrs Coulson & Lofts told Cambridge police court
that he was at work at Bridge Street and saw the prisoner, who was a striker, standing on the
pavement. He came upon the building and said he would fight any one on the job for half-a-crown to
a shilling. Prisoner said he was not picketing that day. They only went on duty three days a week. He
never asked the men to “come out” and it was no use asking Askham to come out on strike because
the society would not have him. He was sent out by the society to induce men to come out on strike,
for which he received a shilling a day - 1899 08 04

1899 10 11

A meeting of Cambridge carpenters and joiners was held to obtain an increase of wages. At
Newmarket the wages had advanced to 8d an hour and the carpenters and joiners of Cambridge were
beginning to agitate and follow in their wake. In many other places men were only working a 49 hour
week and left off at half past five. There were some Cambridge firms employing carpenters who were
offering 9d an hour but most men were content to go on dribbling with 7(rid because they thought they
had good berths and good masters. There was only one remedy for this evil and that lay in
organisation - 1899 10 11

1900

1904

Cambridge Master Tailors Association set up [2.3] (1721 case 82 06 22)

1907 03 25

National Union of Shop Assistants establish branch [1.16]

1910 07 10

Cambridge Master Tailors Association agree wages (echoing first dispute 1721) [1.17]

1911 08 18

The railway strike has begun and its effects are impossible to say. A complete stoppage would
paralyse the trade of the country. Meat would be unobtainable and flour and corn exhausted in a week
leaving cities starving for bread. No doubt road and river traction would bring some mitigation but
fruit and fish would leap to famine prices and without coal no gas or electricity can be produced.

Mills, factories and workshops would be closed down for lack of power and the great majority of
people become dependent upon public relief. 1108 18e

1911 08 18

The effects of the rail strike are not seriously felt in Cambridge. All trains are running though supplies
are considerably delayed with shortages in butter, bacon and petrol. Representatives of the
Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants have been in town but only a very few local employees are
society men. Cambridge Station is looked upon as a ‘fat job’; guards, porters and platform hands
know when they are well off and there are plenty of reserve men to take the places of any who come
out. 11 08 18h

1911 08 25

Had the railway strike not been settled on Saturday there is little doubt that nearly 100 of the men
employed at Cambridge station would have come out. The GER trains ran as usual and the London
and North-Western Railway will give double pay to the men connected with the movement and
handling of traffic who have remained loyally at their posts. Although no actual disturbances were
feared the Chief Constable very properly took the precaution of stopping all leave in case of need. 11
08 25 f

1911 09 15

A number of Cambridge schoolboys ‘came out’ on strike, some because they had a half-holiday and
others because they hadn’t. Some say there were several hundred boys and girls carrying ‘On Strike’
banners and they had chalked the same on the doors of their schools. They held a mass meeting on
Christ’s Pieces then marched down Emmanuel Street where they came into contact with the police
(one constable). The demonstration then collapsed. But teachers say there was no strike. They were
not schoolboys but hooligans; they made a disturbance outside the school but the flashing eye of the
schoolmaster made them retreat 11 09 15c

1912 03 08

If the coal strike continues more than three weeks Cambridge will be faced with a bread famine. One
of two of the leading bakers have supplies of fuel and flour to last about five weeks but a small baker
consumes over a ton of coal a week and has little storage capacity. If the coal merchants cannot keep
the bakers going, there will be no bread. Flour might be available and those people with stocks of coal
or gas ovens might bake their own bread but the poor would be hit very hard. 12 03 08c
Whatever hardships may be inflicted on Cambridge inhabitants through the coal strike, it is
improbable that their linen will have to go unwashed. Most laundries have a good supply of coke. The
situation at Haverhill is generally favourable: Messrs Gurteen, the staple industry, has ample supplies
but the coal merchants are nearing exhaustion. However at Saffron Walden the street lamps have not
been lighted for two nights and the gas has been at a lower pressure. 12 03 08c Newmarket
unaffected, Ely not alarmed - 12 03 08d

1912 03 15

Cambridge undergraduates formed a Strike Emergency Committee to avert the disaster with which the
nation is threatened by the coal strike. The men were extremely enthusiastic and any reference to
‘getting the coal’ brought vociferous cheers. If they carried out their desire to work in the mines they

would require protection: while half were underground the others should be on guard to see the cages
and ventilation apparatus were not interfered with. Police would not be able to send help. Postcards
were distributed on which students placed their names and addresses which would find them in the
vacation if an emergency arose 12 03 15b

Mass Undergraduate plans to organise a strike emergency committee have been attacked by the
‘Cambridge Magazine’. It reports: “The strike-smashing Saturnalia of Mr Calderon and his Comic
Coal Heavers, which began in Cambridge to the mingled disgust and amusement of King’s was
continued on Friday night. We hope they will not take themselves seriously, and that their endeavours
to make this ancient seat of learning ridiculous will soon cease 12 03 15c
Meeting of undergraduates form Coal Strike Emergency Committee prepared to work in pits, but
strike ends [1.18]

1912 03 15

Coal stake - local railway services - 12 03 15g

1912 03 29

Work on the new schools in Melbourne Place is practically at a standstill owing to the strike and 50
men are idle. The contractors cannot get delivery of the facing bricks they require. “We have several
thousand blue bricks on the rail somewhere between Staffordshire and Cambridge” said Mr C.
Kidman. “We are promised red bricks a month after the brickmakers receive coal but they cannot get
any”. An interesting little machine with massive steam-powered steel jaws was champing up bricks
from the curious little row of cottages which had no back premises and no back windows. Five trees
had been cut down to provide log for fuel for the engine. 12 03 29f

1913 07 14

The Trade Unionist Demonstration took place on Parker’s Piece on Sunday afternoon, despite the
council ban. Thousands of people turned out in the expectation of seeing a conflict with the police but
no attempt was made to stop the proceedings. Over 1,100 trade unionists took part, marching through
the streets of Romsey and New Town. They halted outside the house of Mr I.W. Hornsby, one of the
oldest members of the National Union of Railwaymen in Gwydir Street. The old veteran gazed out of
the upper window over a crowd which stretched down the street and many hats were raised to him in
sympathy 1913 07 18 plO C1P trades union demonstration on Parker’s Piece : 1,100 take part, march
Romsey to New Town , call for minimum wages of 30/- (1.50) per week & 8 hour day. Council ban
erection of platform & this seen as attack on the rally [1.19]

1913 07 25

A serious crisis has occurred in the building trade in Cambridge owing to the men’s dissatisfaction
with the present working conditions. Negotiations have been going on between the Amalgamated
Society of Carpenters and Joiners and the Master Builders’ Association but without agreement.
Among the demands is for walking time allowed to jobs to be paid at twenty minutes a mile and not
less than 3s 6d for lodgings. Wages should be 9d per hour (£3.66 at today’s values). Now a strike will
start on Monday. 13 07 25 p7 CIP

1913 08 01

Building strike averted 13 08 01 p 6 & 12 CIP
1913 09 12

Cambridge bakers are to form a trade union - everyone, barring errand boys, had one and it was a
disgrace that there were married men with children, earning only 22 shillings a week. At present men
were working 80 to 100 hours a week for the miserable pittance of fifteen shillings. Even though the
Cambridge Co-operative bakers were getting 28 shillings that was still below what was earned
elsewhere. Theirs was a highly-skilled trade and they should be paid a proper wage. A union had been
formed in 1902 which started with a bakers’ dozen and lasted for eight years. 13 09 12 p8

1913 10 31

A Trades Union demonstration Parkers Piece was marred by heavy rain but some 400 unionists
marched in procession through the rain and mire. The Bakers’ Union was the latest to be formed.
Members of the Labour Party cycled out into the villages and set up branches. The formation of the
Labour Party had led to far greater interest in municipal seats. Before that the Liberals and Tories
used to arrange the seats between themselves. 13 10 31 p5 CIP

1914 05 08

Although there was a crowd of 2,000 at the annual demonstration of the Cambridge Trades Union on
Parker’s Piece on Sunday afternoon, everything was exceedingly quiet and orderly, the speeches were
mild almost to dullness and did not provoke the smallest opposition. The resolution in favour of a 48
hours’ working week and a minimum wage of thirty shillings was carried. It remained for the
irrepressible suffragettes to create the only diversion, but even that was mild.14 05 08d [1.9, 2.2]

1914 07 24

National Union of Vehicular Workers trade union meeting on Parker’s Piece heard many workers
were underpaid and underfed. When taxis came to Cambridge the old cab-drivers should have been
given the chance of leaning the new trade. Instead the taxies were the property of private firms 14 07
24

1918 09 18

Men just back from the front on leave have a very strong feeling indeed about the mania for striking,
which is running through this country at the present time There is no lack of sympathy with labour
among the men out at the front, but these men are in touch with actualities and see for themselves that
a crisis can be turned signally to our immediate advantage if we all put our backs into it, and that any
contrary action will have the effect of prolonging the war. They are making enormous sacrifices and
passing through horrifying experiences which, the imagination of the people at home cannot picture,
and they are naturally indignant at the selfish action on the part of their fellows which is disturbing the
comfort of the soldiers' families and tends to keep the soldier himself longer out in this awful hell 18
09 18 CIPof

1919 04

Bedmakers’ unrest [1.10]

1919 10 01

Rail strike; military at station; food supplies assured but shortage inevitable; road transport
development, strikers interfere with volunteers - 19 1001b

1919 10 08

Rail Strike. The action of the N.U.R. Executive in forcing on the country, without warning, a national
railway strike, bound up as it is with so many evil consequences and endangering the country's food
supply, met with universal condemnation in Cambridge, as indeed it has throughout the British Isles.
The situation is being met with calmness and fortitude. Cambridge railway station went to sleep on
Friday night at the behest of the N.U.R. Goods traffic and perishable articles were held up, cattle
suffered similarly and the mere man in the street was faced with the necessity of arranging his own
transport if he wished to get home during the week-end. Four or five passenger trains were handled at
Cambridge on Saturday. About 90 per cent of the men are out. A few trains have been run daily
during the week. The Divisional Superintendent of Operations said a large number of Cambridge
civilians had volunteered for service on the railway. The strike affected the gas supply and postal
services and food rations were reduced to the following amounts: Meat Is. 8d. worth per-week, bacon
6 ozs. sugar 8 ozs. butter 1 oz, margarine 4 ozs, lard 2 ozs. An old lady walked ten miles on Saturday
to fetch margarine. Coal deliveries were restricted to deliveries of one cwt. 19 10 08 CIPof

1919 10 08

Railway Strike Ends. The railway strike terminated on Sunday after an existence of nine days.
Speaking generally, Cambridge felt but little ill effect from the national railway stoppage. Volunteers

and loyal employees carried on a skeleton passenger service and voluntary effort in connection with
road transport proved an invaluable asset in the movement of food supplies for the community.
Travellers were incommoded, the public generally showed annoyance and anxiety in turn, and the
man in the street exercised a Briton's privilege of "grousing" and carrying on the best he could,
Cambridge railway employees returned to work on Monday, and about 8 a.m. 500 of the strikers
marched to the station to report for duty. Others arrived in the course of the day, but owing to some
misunderstanding in connection with the re-instatement of certain labour, the goods operatives
declined to resume work. A deputation waited upon the local railway authorities and subsequently
returned to the strike headquarters in Devonshire Road. Here the goods men were told to report for
work next morning, the difficulties having been overcome. The men received the instruction with
general pleasure, and one enthusiast called for cheers for the "brothers" who had settled the matter. A
member of deputation discountenanced any form of demonstration, and the men dispersed quietly 19
10 08 CIPof

Termination of the railway strike; marching back to work, Ortona under pressure but bring in more
supplies of petrol - 19 10 08g

Strike scenes - Royal Engineers arrive in readiness; Milk dump at Cattle Market; Mass meeting of
railwaymen - photos - 19 10 08c

1919 10 15

Scenes during railway strike - lorries, traction engine, milk churn in motorcycle sidecar - photos - 19
10 15c

1920

1920 01 21

University Servants. We are all keenly alive to the domestic service troubles at Cambridge
(University) within and without college walls, but I am informed that they are a good deal more acute
at Oxford, where no female labour is admissible. Oxford college servants, like those at Cambridge,
have sprung a Trades Union upon an astonished and bewildered University. Presumably a satisfactory
arrangement has been come to here, as no one has heard more of the rumblings of the revolt which
threatened during the Long Vacation, but at Oxford they have the whole of the thorny and difficult
road to tread. 20 01 21 CIPof

1920 05 01

May Day in Cambridge - building workers take a holiday to celebrate; procession through the town -
CDN20 05 01

1920 05 22

Trinity College waiters strike; more money demanded; undergraduates serve themselves - - CDN 20
05 22

1920 10 09

Cambridge Master Tailors Association wound up & replaced by National Federation of Master
Tailors [2.3]

1920 11 04

Bookbinders’ Union branch reopened 1917 after being closed for 50 or 60 years; three years ago
average wage very low and negotiations had taken place. Employees resisted minimum wage for
women; 60 women had been on strike for a fortnight - CDN 20 11 04

1921 04 06

Miners; strike crisis; railwaymen decide against strike, passenger Pains cancelled; emergency
declared, lighting restricted, coal stocks controlled - 21 04 06b

1921 05 04

Rumours that University end term early due to miners’ strike discounted; residents supply coal to
allow essential services; railwaymen’s’ guaranteed week suspended - 21 05 04b

1922 05 06

The local Labour and Co-operative Parties were well represented on Parker's Piece on Saturday when
a May Day Demonstration was held. The proceedings commenced with a procession which marched
in the following order: Railway Silver Band, officers of the party, banner of the A.S.L.E. and F., Co¬
operative banner and party, smaller unions and women’s sections, Cherryhinton band, builders'
banner and banner of the N.U.R 22 05 06

1923 04 09

For the purpose of putting before the public the point of view of the strikers in the building trade, a
meeting was held on Parker's Piece where there was a very large attendance. Mr Haynes said that 44
hours a week were enough for any of them to work. They had to remember that every man who was
not with them was against them. In the event of the building operatives going down in the struggle,
the railway men and workers in every other industry would have to look out, for the employers
everywhere were out to reduce wages to a lower level than they were before the war. Urging the need
of the workers standing together, Mr Overton said they were either partners in each other's poverty, or
partners in each other's prosperity. The Trades Council were asking the other trade unions to come to
the support of the building trade workers 23 04 09

1925 04 08 c

Cambridge Board of Guardians discussed the question of securing the repayment of the relief granted
in loans to those concerned in the building strike in August last year. Mr Branston said he was not
sure they had acted legally in giving relief to able-bodied people who were on strike, all they could do
was to relieve the wives and children of those men. Several of the men started to pay the loans back
by instalments and had stopped for the reason that other people were not attempting to pay back the
money they had had. Others stopped at the instance of “so-called friends of the unemployed” who
seemed to do nothing but stir up trouble 25 04 08

1925 04 13

The employees of the East Anglia Cement Company, who are on strike at Shepreth, visited
Cambridge. They marched in procession to Parker’s Piece where a platform was in readiness for a
mass meeting organised by the Cambridge Trades Council. On the arrival of the strikers a very large
crowd quickly gathered. The speaker protested against the idea that because the wages of agricultural
labourers were low, those of cement workers should also be low. 25 04 13

1925 05 04

Large crowds witnessed the Cambridge Labour and Co-operative Party’s May Day demonstration on
Parker’s Piece. It was addressed by E.V. Watering. He said the cement workers had been on strike for
eight weeks and not a single man had retracted because they had received magnificent support from
the Labour movement. At a recent meeting of the Cambridge section of the Fascisti movement he had
been alluded to as a “breeder of strikes”. So far as the Shepreth dispute was concerned he denied that
statement. The strike was brought about by the directors of the East Anglian Cement Company and
only after every possible avenue leading to arbitration had been wiped away that the men forced the
issue by striking 25 05 04

1926

General Strike: newspapers, gas and light carry on, fleets of cars leave Grange Road taking
undergraduates into the country to assist in maintaining services [1.2,1.5,1.8,1.11]

1926 03 29

Something of the progress of Trade Unionism in Cambridge was indicated at a meeting of the
Workers Union at which 150 members participated. Twelve years ago there was hardly any trade

unionism in the town, with the exception of the craft unions. Agricultural workers had met with
tremendous disappointments. The Wages Board had sent the wages of agricultural labourers up from
12s (60p) a week up to £2. Then had come the scrapping of the Board, wages went down to 25s
(£1.25) and the worker was faced with the wreck and ruin of his home. The men had lost faith in trade
unions 26 03 29

1926 04 10

Steps are being taken to set up an “Organisation for Maintenance of Supplies” committee in
Cambridge. It is a non-political organisation for enrolling and classifying lists of volunteers for the
use of the Government in the regrettable event of a general stoppage of the essential public services.
One may be quite sure that such volunteers would be readily forthcoming in a grave emergency, but
for the sake of efficiency it is thought better to have personnel ready beforehand. It does not question
the right to strike but exists to prevent the mass of the population being victimised by a far-reaching
strike that affects the well-being of the community 26 04 10

1926 04 13

An “Organisation for Maintenance of Supplies” Committee for Cambridge was the outcome of a
meeting held at Christ’s College, its aim being to enlist and classify volunteers for the use of the
Government in the event of a general stoppage of the essential public services. The questioners
included Coun W. Few, President of the Cambridge Trades Council and Labour party who declined to
allow his name to go forward as a member of the Executive Committee 26 04 13

1926 05 03

Cambridge is the administrative centre for East Anglia for the arrangements being made to meet the
National Strike emergency. Mr F. Morris Warren of St Ives is the district coal officer. There are three
Food Officers who will deal with complaints relating to the supply of provisions. The big job of the
moment is the securing and registering of volunteers willing to help in any way with the maintenance
of essential services and supplies with a recruiting office in the Guildhall. The Mayor of Cambridge,
Aid Edward O. Brown, said: “Today we stand on the edge of an important crisis in the history of our
nation. A dark cloud is overshadowing the life of our people. 1 appeal to all our people to prepare for
sacrifice, and remain steady. God grant it may be averted 26 05 03

1926 05 03

A public meeting organised by the Cambridge Trades Council, the Labour Party and the Co-operative
Party was held on Parker’s Piece and for an hour and a half speeches were addressed from two red
wagons to a crowd numbering about 5,000. They were for the most part attired in red hats, scarves
and rosettes and almost encircled by red banners. Lloyd George had said when the miners came back
from the war they would find a country fit to live in but they had been asked to accept a reduction in
wages and an increase in hours. Socialists were out to help the poorer classes. The meeting closed
with the singing of the Red Flag 26 05 03

1926 05 08

Cambridge station looked exceptionally bright this morning. Undergraduates in gaily coloured blazers
added colour to the scene. The train services are gradually improving and great keenness had been
shown on the part of undergraduates in bringing down supplies from London for the Station
refreshment room. Tilly, the popular little tea shop girl, remarked while serving hot coffee and
doughnuts to hungry undergraduates that she had never seen such cheerful and plucky workers as the
volunteers who visited her counter during the General Strike 26 05 08

1926 05 08

The effects of the general strike were brought more closely home than hitherto. In many a Cambridge
home the housewife found she had less to “manage on” and tradesmen large and small found their
takings considerably decreased in consequence. Parties of undergraduates who had been doing
volunteer work were seen coming home for a Sunday rest carrying kit bags over their shoulders. The
University has further postponed examinations so that a clear three weeks interval for study will be

allowed after the present emergency has ended. A further contingent of 30 undergraduates left in cars
to take up tramway services in Hull; the windscreens were protected with wire netting 26 05 08

1926 05 10

Five hundred of the Civil Constabulary reserve, mostly undergraduates, left Cambridge early this
morning for duty in the East End of London. An advance party of 100 went off yesterday. The
journey was made by road, the procession of cars stretching for a distance of nearly a mile. In addition
some are cleaning carriages at Paddington and Waterloo stations and others unloading cargo at
Tilbury Docks. A large number are at dock work and engineering jobs at Hull, while a small
contingent is at Grimsby employed at the quayside. A number of Girton and Newnham girls are
working as cyclist messengers in the district 26 05 10

1926 05 12

When the news of the end of the General Strike was broadcast on Market Hill, Cambridge enthusiastic
cheers broke out. “What rotten luck!” an undergraduate was heard to remark, “1 only started work to¬
day and was looking forward to driving a lorry up to Town”. “Never mind, old boy”, cynically replied
his companion, “They’ll be out again in a few weeks”. “Em glad it’s all over”, remarked a flapper,
and then added demurely, “All the ‘Varsity boys will be coming back”. In many parts of the town
children were carrying flags within two hours of receiving the news 26 05 12

1926 05 13

The situation was quiet at Romsey Town this morning, the railwaymen concerned in the new crisis
patiently waiting developments which are taking place between the railway companies and the various
unions in London. At the Co-operative Hall a telegram was read instructing the Cambridge men to
remain out on strike until the unions got satisfactory assurance with regard to the men’s reinstatement
26 05 13

1926 05 18

The Cambridge Joint Emergency Committee wish to place on record their gratitude to the many
friends who have helped the men who were on strike; the ministers and clergy who lent rooms and the
members of the University who gave lectures and concerts, helped in the club rooms and took parties
to see the colleges. Many lent their cars to distribute the “British Worker”. By means of the Strike
Fund the committee have been able to relieve many cases of distress. The last gathering took place in
the Co-operative Hall which was crowded with hundreds of women who enjoyed their entertainment
26 05 18

1926 06 01

Now that the excitement of the General Strike has passed away it may be of interest to note the effect
of the strike upon local employment. Messrs Pye have only had about 2Vi days short time but at the
Cement Works the coal difficulty has resulted in a spell of enforced idleness for some of the hands.
The Saxon Company’s employees are being given their usual holidays on full pay and since short
time started have been given work turn and turn-about on repairs but unless the coal comes along
there will be no more work for the present 26 06 01

1926 06 02

Mi - Ramsay Macdonald, ex-Labour Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition will not be one of
the recipients of honorary degrees at Cambridge. His name was included in the Grace to come before
the Senate but certain members intended to “Non Placet” it & a flysheet was to be issued declaring
this intention. News to this effect reached Macdonald who signified that he did not wish it to go
forward unless it was absolutely unanimous. Opposition was more or less spontaneous because he was
a party to an illegal act in bringing about the General Strike 26 06 02

1926 06 11

The Mayor of Cambridge told members of the Special Constabulary that the general strike had come
as a “staggerer” to him. They had had to appoint various officers to control the various department of

work - the food, transport, coal, volunteer service and Special Constabulary. It was impossible to
forget their service and the willingness to help their town and country. No one on May 3 rd knew what
lay before them. They had been as near to revolution as they would ever be, but they faced the
situation as Britishers should. What would have happened had the people been disloyal and
untrustworthy he could not bear to think 26 06 11

1930

1930 05 12

The Cambridge branch of the Association of Plasterers and Granolithic and Cement Workers
celebrated its 50 th anniversary. Mr G. Cook, their first secretary said they had experienced strikes and
lock-outs; they had acted on the defensive and had been aggressive. They had a proud record for
bettering the conditions for the workers. At one time they were 100 per cent organised and still had 95
per cent membership 30 05 12

1937 05 11

It came as something of a surprise to most Cambridge people to find buses on the streets again after a
strike of 17 days. When the Eastern Counties Omnibus garage doors opened on Hills Road
pedestrians and even motorists stopped to see what would happen. Then drivers and conductors
appeared in uniform. Managers say the men have returned to work unconditionally and there would
be no victimisation; every man would be reinstated except those who had caused wilful damage to
buses. 37 05 11

1940

1944

Mineworkers Federation (now NUM) buy 8 Selwyn Gardens as HQ after London HQ damaged by
bomb; sold it 1945 when moved back London [3.5]

1944 10 26

Marshall’s Flying School strike - 44 10 26a

1949 12 09

An appeal for the organisation of college servants into a union was made at a meeting of Cambridge
Trades Council. Mr Betteridge maintained that conditions in some of the colleges were “600 years
behind the times”. There are some people who are working seven days a week and a number of the
college servants are not enjoying the amenities enjoyed by other individuals. Some men even have to
go back during their lunch hour to serve meals to make up their time, he added

1950

1951

Trades Council dates from 1951
1951 09 04

For the first time college servants of Cambridge University have taken a Transport and General
Workers’ Union dispute to arbitration by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and a period has been fixed
for the servants & Gonville and Caius college to negotiate and come to terms. The servants want
minimum wages of £5 8s.for men & £4 Is. for women, payment for split duties and overtime, and
protection of holidays and working weeks. A Union official said: “We must not antagonise the
colleges who thought the servants were kidding. We can make friends with them or we can make
enemies of them for evermore 51 09 04

1952 02 04

Tribunal raise Kitchen Porters wages from £3.7.6 to £4.15.0 per week (£3.35 to £4.75); first ever
“college servants charter” [1.14]

1960 the Cambridgeshire Collection has newspaper cuttings from this date

1963 11 25

Bedmakers’ wages up from 2/10 to 3/6 (14-18p) per hour [1.15]

1969 11 07

Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers centenary [3.4]

1970
1970

“Strike-tom 70s” - various strikes against Government legislation [1.6]

1970 05 20

First Trade Union branch ASTMS formed [369.19.8]

1972 01 07

Referendum of change of wage negotiations, Cambridge University Assistants oppose ASTMS claim
to share bargaining, vote is a tie; NALGO & NUPE start; 22/- increase agree non-technical grades
cleaners etc; CU formally recognise Trade Union for wage bargaining [369.19.8]

1972 11 28

The opening of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technician's eastern regional
headquarters in Cambridge marks a major step forward in acquiring the "modern image" required in
today's union activities. For several years the Union, known then as the Amalgamated Society of
Woodworkers, operated from small offices in Newmarket Road. Now with the move completed to
new offices at the corner of Abbey Road "the union are in a position to project their image", says
regional secretary Ivor Jordan. The offices were to have been opened in July but the ceremony was
put off because of the building workers strike 72 11 28

1973

Trades Council dates from 1951, previously was industrial section City Labour Party, now
independent, 10,000 Unionists affiliated, wants close relationship local authority especially when
Labour-controlled District Council takes power 1974 [Misc.1.4]

1973 05 02

May Day strike - TUC Day of protest against Government [3.1]

1974 01

Three-day week [1.7]

1976 09 08

ACUA wins recognition of TU, not affiliated TUC [369.19.10]

1977 09 20

Bread was being made at the large Spillers-French bakery in Cambridge for the first time in 11 days,
as staff returned to work after settlement of the national strike in “plant” bakeries. The accountant at
the Sleaford Street bakery said some loaves were coming off the production lines by mid-morning.
But they would have to cool and then be wrapped before they could be sent out. During the strike the
small independent bakers have been working flat out to try to meet demand. Most have managed to
produce around double their normal output. 77 09 20

1977 11 05

Retailers in Cambridge city centre are angry because the power cuts threaten to deprive them of
electricity for up to three hours every Saturday afternoon. They feel it is unfair that the same shops
should face being cut off during a peak period every week. The manager of the Abbey Boutique said
it could cost traders thousands of pounds. But Eastern Electricity say they have to think of the needs
of all their consumers and the traders would do well to see how it goes this weekend before they start
complaining 77 11 05

1980

1980 05 15

The TUC Day of Action was ignored by thousands of trade unionists in the Cambridge area who
turned up for work as normal. But this failed to dampen the spirits of those who organised the protest
against Government policies. The highlight was a mass public meeting in Market Square, preceded by
a march through the city by 250 trade unionists. It was the biggest turn out the organisers can
remember in Cambridge; when May Day marches were held there were fewer on the march than
attended a normal trades council meeting 80 05 15b

1980 09 05

Cambridge University will now pay its clerical and administrative staff the same overtime rates as
other universities and the working week will be reduced by an hour. They are outside the national pay
structure but had agreed to be bound by the results of negotiations by the Central Arbitration
Committee in London. NALGO members are now likely to accept a 13.5 per cent pay offer 80 09 05a

1982 09 22

Millions of trade unionists took part in the TUC’s Day of Action in support of the health workers’ pay
claim. In Cambridge about 1,000 people joined a march through the city centre with representatives
from health workers, uniformed firemen, NALGO, Trades Union and the city Labour Party. It was the
biggest demonstration seen in the city for years. 82 09 22 [3.2]

1984 11 28

Miners from Nottinghamshire thank Cambridge people for support during strike, 20,000 raised [3.3]